TO BRING DECIMALS TO THEIR PROPER VALUE IN WHOLE NUMBERS.
The proper value of a decimal is only to be ascertained by his points of character, and they are to be found of full value in many parts of the kingdom, in the shape of worthy curates, and honest rectors and vicars, dividing not their flocks, or the produce of their flocks, but their own time, means, and money, in the conscientious discharge of their clerical duties.
RULE XII.
PRACTICE.
The Rule of Practice is indispensable in all our operations. It is in some degree the "ultimatum" of the preceding rules, for as the proverb says, "Practice makes perfect."
Nature is said to have begun the creation of "living infinities" by this rule, for in the words of the poet,
"She tried her 'prentice hand on man,
And then she made the lasses o."—Burns.
Practice is thus divided into two kinds—the first called Practice Preliminary; the second is denominated Practice in General.
Practice Preliminary is experimental philosophy, or asking discount for a bill at 18 months; Practice in General taking in the flats. The one resolves itself into "trying it on," the other to "clapping it on."
"Trying it on" is an universal principle, from the old Jew salesman who asks four pounds for a thread-bare coat and takes four shillings; or the old cabbage woman who offers 3lbs. of "taters" for two pence and sells 7lbs. for three farthings; to the prime minister who asks three millions of taxes, and expects five. The converse of this rule is, "Don't you wish you may get it."
Practice is performed by taking "aliquot parts;" to be a man of some "parts" is therefore necessary. The application of our "parts" to the science of L.S.D. with a view to their development and perfection, is the aim of the rule, and the "practice of Practice" is to show,
That the value of a thing
Is just the money it will bring;
For money being the common scale
Of things by measure, weight and rate,
In all affairs of Church and State,
And both the balance and the weight,
The only force, the only power,
That all mankind fall down before,
Which like the iron sword of kings,
Is the best reason of all things;
The Rule of Practice then would show,
The principles on which men "grow."
What makes all doctrines plain and clear?
A few odd hundreds once a year.
And that which was proved true before,
Prove false again?—Some hundreds more.
Hudibras.
PRACTISING AT EXETER HALL.
HULLA, BOYS, HULLA.